Actually the season for kaki (persimmon) is drawing to a close here in the Bay Area, but while I was in Tokyo in October, persimmons were in the spotlight. Persimmons are well-loved in Japan, not only as a fruit used in many types of dishes and sweets, but as an admired symbol of the autumn season, its pleasing form adorning stationery, textiles, paintings and ceramics.
With its stunning vibrant orange color (one of my favorite colors), symmetrical shape and gorgeous tree with broad leaves that become fiery-hued in fall, I think the persimmon must be nature's most beautiful fruit. I love looking at them and decorating my home with them. But sadly, I just cannot appreciate their flavor and texture. My neighbor has a Hachiya persimmon tree, laden with fruit that nobody eats. I pick them for my mother and her Japanese friends, who all go nuts over them.
The photo above is of last-second gifts I found at an elegant sweet shop (can't remember the name) in Narita airport on my way back home. They were super expensive but so lovely I had to take these back for my mom. The persimmon-shaped container in the little basket holds persimmon jelly, and the other item is some sort of persimmon-flavored sweet.
I found this recipe for persimmon pudding cake so I'm going to try putting my rapidly softening fruit to some use. If it turns out okay I'll post photos. This site also talks about the difference between Fuyu and Hachiya.
5 comments:
I love persimmons, and we don't have them here in Colorado. Looking at your pictures makes me miss Korea. (The are a symbol of autumn there too.)
When I visit Southern California and get to shop at the Japanese Markets, the really nice sweet shop in one of them sells the Persimmon treats you showed and I am always tempted to buy them.
I don't like Hachiya Persimmons but adore the Fuyu which are crisp and crunchy. . . you might like them.
Thanks for the lovely post. . . and I so enjoy your blog.
How fun that we both posted about Persimmons in the same week.
cheers, parsnip
Yeah, I like the crunchy ones and I don't like the mushy ones. I don't know the names in Japanese, though.
I love your ode to the persimmon -- that lovely, lovely gift from the garden. Thank you for sharing the beautiful gifts you bought for your mother. I hope she enjoyed them!
Aki, I was so happy to read about persimmons. They share the first place in my palate, along with papayas and mangoes - and yes, all of them are different shades of orange, which is my favorite color too!
Post a Comment